IN THIS ISSUE...
  • 60 Voices That Shine - #49, #50, #51 & #52 - The Charlan Family
  • Remembering Todd Lowther, Former Executive Director
  • DDRC Recognizes The Arc - JCCGC For Vaccine Clinic
  • CIT Training Is Helping Keep You Safe
  • REIMAGINE: A Week Of Action To Reimagine Our National Response To People In Crisis
  • IN! Higher Education Event
The Charlan Family - #49, #50, #51 & #52

Some families seem to be able to rise to any challenge that they encounter. With their strong faith behind them, the Charlans are one of those families. 

Parents Nathan and Renee connected with The Arc when their oldest child, Zakary (Zak) was just 2 years old and diagnosed with cerebral palsy. They had been told by doctors that he would never speak, but guess what? He could sound out his own name by age 3 thanks to his fighting spirit and his parents’ determined and loving voices.
 
Nathan and Renee advocated for Zak early on and also started a website for parents of children with special needs that eventually drew 17,000 followers. They traveled around the country interviewing parents with children with IDD and amplifying their voices on the website. The site also has a video of Zak as an infant that serves as a training vehicle to educate parents on how to react when a baby has a seizure.
 
As a teen with a developmental disability, Zak uses his voice in many ways--to ask for help, greet people at church, and talk to as many people as possible. This outgoing personality is probably a big reason why Zak now enjoys the company and affection of his girlfriend. They love to spend time together at Old Chicago and the skating rink. He has a goal for every class at school every day – to raise his hand and participate at least once.
 
One of Zak's most impressive abilities is with music--he has perfect pitch. He taught himself to use the Garage Band app on his iPad, and now, when he hears a song, he can recreate it note by note, sound by sound on each instrument.
 
Zak is a big brother to 9-year-old sister, Maddie. Her favorite family activity is movie-and-pizza night every Friday in the Charlan house, when they usually watch family-friendly 80s flicks. Maddie loves to play video games, and she uses her voice through writing graphic novels – everything from creating the title to doing all of the drawings and story writing.
 
Nathan has been helping our chapter with video production for Summit of Hope feature videos for many years and we’re delighted to have his professional skills and experienced voice to help us tell our stories. He understands what other families with kids with disabilities go through.

For Zak, consistency in providers, teachers and therapists has greatly benefited him, along with conductive therapy. Today, Zak is a talented 14-year-old who has a strong sense of family, a keen sense of humor and a girlfriend who adores him. To see all of the “60 Voices That Shine” featured thus far or for more information about our 60th Anniversary, CLICK HERE.
Remembering Todd Lowther, Former Executive Director

It's with a heavy heart that we write about the passing of Todd Lowther, former executive director of our chapter. He passed away at age 74 last month on October 31. It's a date that his family said he would have considered the greatest joke ever because it was his least favorite holiday. Todd put his heart into leading our chapter in supporting people with IDD for 10 years (through 2007), and he will be missed.
 
After starting his career in education, he then became Director of Easterseals Colorado. It is where he discovered his immense passion and talent for special needs advocacy. Probably the main catalyst for his sustained passion for our mission came from his daughter, Hannah, who has Down syndrome. She is a treasured member of our self-advocacy groups, and she was featured in a prominent awareness campaign launched by The Arc.

Upon retirement, Todd moved to South Carolina where he pursued his musical passions, including singing, guitar, banjo and songwriting. We pass our deepest condolences on to his wife Paula, his children, his many grandchildren and step-grandchildren, and his beloved pets. CLICK HERE to read the entire obituary.
The Arc - JCCGC Receives Special Recognition Award From DDRC

Developmental Disabilities Resource Center (DDRC) has announced that The Arc - JCCGC was one of three recipients of its Special Recognition Award this year. The award was given to The Arc, STRIDE Community Health Center, and Jefferson County Public Health for showing exceptional support and dedication toward people with IDD through a vaccination event.
 
The event was made possible through the cooperation of all three organizations along with DDRC itself. It kicked off in March of this year, which also happened to be Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
 
The award for The Arc was presented to Executive Director, Lori Ropa, who said, “Each of our four partner agencies brought our best to the table. Our passion to serve, our connections, our skills, and our desire to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities – some of the most frequently overlooked and vulnerable people in our community – came together to provide access to potentially life-saving vaccines.”
 
Despite it being a frigid morning on March 24, there was a backup of cars waiting in line for COVID-19 vaccines where 465 people received their first dose. Three weeks later, an event for second doses was held, as well. This 2-part event was especially important to the IDD population as many are unable to wear masks, have trouble breathing, unable to socially distance themselves, and have other characteristics that put them at higher risk.
 
For more information on this award in DDRC’s November newsletter, CLICK HERE.
CIT Training Is Helping Keep You Safe

Recently 35 members of law enforcement from departments throughout Jefferson County participated in The Arc’s Crisis Intervention Training (CIT). These members of law enforcement were eager to be well-prepared to deal successfully with crisis situations involving people with IDD and keep everyone safe. When there are conflicts between people with disabilities and law enforcement, many times a hidden disability or mental illness is a factor.
 
The training educates law enforcement officers on the different intellectual and developmental disabilities, how to recognize them, and the ways to interact more effectively with people with IDD who are exhibiting certain behaviors. Often a lack of awareness of the presence and influence of hidden disabilities can lead to the assumption by law enforcement that an individual is being willfully or intentionally disobedient.

In some cases, a few questions can help officers determine if a disability might be a factor and adjust their approach for more effective interaction.
 
During the second half of the training, attendees broke into small groups, and our trainers gave “what if” scenarios that the officers might encounter. The groups discussed each scenario and decided what actions would result in the best and safest possible outcome. The groups then came back together and shared their ideas with the whole class.

The training also helped officers learn and use “People First” language. It's a way of speaking about people with IDD that conveys respect for them as people, first and foremost. As an example, "he HAS a disability" is in line with People First Language, but "he IS disabled" is not. In some situations, this could help prevent unnecessary escalation.
 
We value our partnership with area law enforcement in working towards a safer community, and we believe education is essential in keeping people of all abilities safe and sound. That’s why CIT training is offered by our chapter of The Arc twice a year. You can access more of this valuable information on our website, CLICK HERE.
REIMAGINE - A Week Of Action To Reimagine Our National Response To People In Crisis

Did you know that starting July of 2022, 988 will be the new three-digit phone number to dial for mental health, substance abuse, and suicidal crisis help? It’s like 911 that is currently used for police and fire emergencies. People experiencing mental health crises haven’t been able to find or receive the care they need and deserve. This new 988 service is an effort to address the crisis.
 
With 30 to 40% of the IDD population experiencing a co-occurring mental illness, The Arc is partnering with other organizations to ensure a mental health crisis receives a mental health response.
 
In anticipation of this new mental health resource, REIMAGINE is bringing together organizations for a week-long, free event from November 15 – 19, 2021.

This event is meant to elevate crisis response, coordinate federal and state advocacy efforts to help establish and fund crisis response systems.
 
Attendees will hear stories from people with lived experiences with the current system as well as bring together panel discussions with civil rights, providers, law enforcement and youth perspective to the conversation.
 
If you want to get involved and learn about best practices to apply to 988 and bring the voices of the IDD community to the table, CLICK HERE to register and learn more about REIMAGINE’s week of action.
IN! Higher Education Event

IN! Pathways to Inclusive Higher Education is hosting a free student panel discussion where attendees will hear from college students with disabilities talk about their experiences in college. A question and answer session follows the panel discussion.

The event is open to everyone but is tailored towards prospective college students with disabilities and their families.
 
Student Panel Discussion
December 9, 2021
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
CLICK HERE to register